Superconducting logic components

ABSTRACT

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for operating superconducting circuitry. In one aspect, a superconducting component includes: (1) a superconductor having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions, each wide portion having a corresponding terminal; and (2) a plurality of heat sources, each heat source thermally coupled to a corresponding narrow portion such that heat from the heat source is transmitted to the corresponding narrow portion; where the plurality of heat sources is electrically isolated from the superconductor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a United States National Stage Application filedunder 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Patent Application Ser. No.PCT/US2019/017687 filed on Feb. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit ofand priority to United States patent application Ser. No. 62/630,657filed on Feb. 14, 2018, United States patent application Ser. No.62/632,323 filed on Feb. 19, 2018, and United States patent applicationSer. No. 62/660,192 filed on Apr. 19, 2018, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates generally to electrical circuits implementingsuperconducting components, including but not limited to,superconducting logic components.

BACKGROUND

Logic gates are used to implement Boolean functions and perform logicaloperations one or more inputs to produce an output. Thus, logic gatesare essential components in many electronic devices. Superconductors arematerials capable of operating in a superconducting state with zeroelectrical resistance under particular conditions.

SUMMARY

There is a need for systems and/or devices with more efficient andeffective methods for implementing logical operations. Such systems,devices, and methods optionally complement or replace conventionalsystems, devices, and methods for implementing logical operations.

In one aspect, some embodiments include a superconducting component,comprising: a superconductor having a plurality of alternating narrowand wide portions, two or more of the wide portions each having acorresponding terminal; and a plurality of heat sources, each heatsource thermally coupled to a corresponding narrow portion such thatheat from the heat source is transmitted to the corresponding narrowportion; where the plurality of heat sources is electrically isolatedfrom the superconductor. In some embodiments, the superconductorcomprises a thin film of superconducting material. In some embodiments,the superconductor consists essentially of a thin film ofsuperconducting material. In some embodiments, the superconductingcomponent is configured such that in response to the transmitted heatthe corresponding narrow portion transitions from a superconductingstate to a non-superconducting state. In some embodiments, plurality ofheat sources comprises a plurality of photon detectors.

In another aspect, some embodiments include a photon detector systemincluding: (1) a first circuit that includes a plurality ofsuperconducting components; (2) a resistive component coupled inparallel with the first circuit; (3) a plurality of heat sources, eachheat source of the plurality of heat sources coupled to a correspondingsuperconducting component of the plurality of superconducting componentsand configured to selectively provide heat to the correspondingsuperconducting component in response to receiving light of at least afirst intensity; (4) a current source coupled to the plurality ofsuperconducting components and the resistive component, and configuredto supply a first current, wherein the first current is adapted to biasthe first circuit such that: (a) responsive to the first current, arespective superconducting component of the first circuit operates in asuperconducting state; and (b) responsive to a combination of the firstcurrent and the heat from a corresponding heat source, the respectivesuperconducting component operates in a non-superconducting state; and(5) an output component coupled to the first circuit and configured todetermine a number of the plurality of superconducting components in thenon-superconducting state based on an impedance of the first circuit.

In yet another aspect, some embodiments include a photon detector systemincluding: (1) a first circuit that includes: (a) a plurality ofsuperconducting components; and (b) a plurality of impedance componentscoupling the plurality of superconducting components, where theplurality of impedance components comprises one or more inductors and/orone or more resistors; (2) a plurality of heat sources, each heat sourceof the plurality of heat sources coupled to a correspondingsuperconducting component of the plurality of superconducting componentsand configured to selectively provide heat to the correspondingsuperconducting component in response to receiving light of at least afirst intensity; (3) a current source coupled to the plurality ofsuperconducting components via the plurality of impedance components andconfigured to supply a first current, wherein the first current isadapted to bias the first circuit such that: (i) responsive to the firstcurrent, a respective superconducting component of the first circuitoperates in a superconducting state; and (ii) responsive to acombination of the first current and the heat from a corresponding heatsource, the respective superconducting component operates in anon-superconducting state; and (4) an output component coupled inparallel with the first circuit, the output component configured todetermine a number of the plurality of superconducting components in thenon-superconducting state based on a portion of the first currentflowing to the output component.

Thus, superconducting devices and systems are provided with methods foroperating circuitry, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency,and user satisfaction with such circuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments,reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating representativesuperconducting components in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a representative heat sourcein accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2B-2D are prophetic diagrams illustrating a representativeoperating sequence of the heat source of FIG. 2A in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams illustrating representativesuperconducting circuits in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4C are prophetic diagrams illustrating a representativeoperating sequence of the superconducting circuit of FIG. 3A inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams illustrating representativesuperconducting circuits in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C are prophetic diagrams illustrating a representativeoperating sequence of the superconducting circuit of FIG. 5A inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a representativesuperconducting circuit in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a representative superconducting thin film inaccordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However,it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the variousdescribed embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

Many modifications and variations of this disclosure can be made withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein areoffered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited onlyby the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Utilizing superconductor(s) to implement logical and readout circuit(s)enables the circuit(s) to operate at cryogenic temperatures and atnanoscale sizes. For example, such devices would be beneficial forlow-latency operations directly on a cryogenic chip.

Accordingly, some embodiments include a structure comprising multiplesuperconducting thin-film nanowires, where each nanowire isthermally-coupled to a corresponding photon detector. In someembodiments, the structure is configured to determine how many of thephoton detectors are triggered at a given time (e.g., count a number ofreceived photons).

FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating representativesuperconducting components in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 1Ashows a superconducting component 100 including a thin film 102 havingalternating narrow and wide portions, including narrow portions 104-1and 104-2, and a terminal 108 on each wide portion (e.g., terminals108-1, 108-2, and 108-3). In some embodiments, the thin film 102comprises a thin film of one or more superconducting materials, such asniobium or niobium alloys). The superconducting component 100 furtherincludes heat sources 106-1 and 106-2 thermally coupled to narrowportions 104-1 and 104-2. In some embodiments, each narrow portion 104is thermally coupled to a corresponding heat source 106. Alternatively,in embodiments that have more than two narrow portions 104, two or moreof the narrow portions 104 are thermally coupled to corresponding heatsources 106. Similarly, in some embodiments, two or more, but less thanall, wide portions of the superconducting component have correspondingterminals 108 to which other circuitry or components can be electricallycoupled. In some embodiments, each heat source 106 iselectrically-isolated from the corresponding narrow portion 104. Forexample, each narrow portion 104 thermally coupled to a correspondingheat source is positioned such that heat is thermally transferred fromthe corresponding heat source 106 to the narrow portion 104, but noelectrons transfer between the heat source 106 and the narrow portion104 (e.g., no current flow or quantum tunneling). As another example,each narrow portion 104 thermally coupled to a corresponding heat sourceis positioned such that heat is thermally transferred from thecorresponding heat source 106 to the narrow portion 104, but electrontransfer between the heat source 106 and the narrow portion 104 isinsufficient to generate a latch-up state in the heat source (e.g., theheat source is enabled to transition from the non-superconducting stateback to the superconducting state regardless of the state of the narrowportion 104). In some embodiments, the thin film 102 and the heatsources 106 are patterned from a single thin film of superconductingmaterial.

In some embodiments, the superconducting component is shaped,positioned, and biased such that, in response to transmitted heat from aheat source, a corresponding narrow portion transitions from asuperconducting state to a non-superconducting state. In someembodiments, the wide portions connected to the narrow portion are ofsufficient size to remain in a superconducting state while the narrowportion is in, or transitioning to, the non-superconducting state. Insome embodiments, the wide portions are sized to thermally isolate thenarrow portions from one another so that heat coupled to a respectivenarrow portion by a corresponding heat source is not sufficient (e.g.,by itself) to cause a neighboring narrow portion to transition from asuperconducting state to a non-superconducting state. In someembodiments, the width of each narrow portion is in the range of 150nanometers (nm) to 1 micron. In some embodiments, the width of each wideportion is in the range of 1 micron to 100 micron. In some embodiments,the length of each narrow portion and each wide portion is in the rangeof 150 nm to 10 micron. In some embodiments, the ratio of the width of anarrow portion to the width of an adjacent wide portion is in the rangeof ½ to 1/100. In accordance with some embodiments, the wide portionsare configured to function as thermal dissipaters (e.g., cooling pads)for adjacent narrow sections. In some embodiments, the wide portionsprevent hot areas in some narrow portions (due to heat from the heatsources) from spreading into the other narrow portions.

FIG. 1B shows a superconducting component 120 similar to thesuperconducting component 100 of FIG. 1A except that the component 120includes ‘n’ narrow portions 124, ‘n’ heat sources 106, and ‘n’+1terminals 108. In various embodiments, ‘n’ ranges from 3 to 100 or more.In some embodiments, each terminal 108 is configured to be coupled to aninput and/or output of the superconducting component 100 (e.g., as shownand described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 5A). In some embodiments, thethin film 122 is composed of niobium and/or a niobium alloy.

In some embodiments, the superconducting components 100 and 120 areconfigured for use as building blocks in larger circuits. In someembodiments, one or more of the superconducting components 100 and/orsuperconducting components 120 are coupled to one or more additionalcomponents (e.g., to form one or more logic gates and/or readoutcircuits). In some embodiments, one or more of the superconductingcomponents 100 and/or superconducting components 120 are coupled toadditional circuitry so as to operate as a superconducting fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA).

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating a circuit or system 180having ‘p’ superconducting components 100 coupled together via aplurality of superconducting sections 164. In some embodiments, eachsuperconducting section 164 is sized similar to a narrow portion 104(e.g., is narrower than a wide portion of the thin film 102). Inaccordance with some embodiments, each superconducting section 164 isthermally coupled to a corresponding heat source 106. In variousembodiments, ‘p’ ranges from 4 to 100 or more. In FIG. 1C, thesuperconducting components 100 are coupled (e.g., via the terminals 108)to configurable logic circuitry 160 in accordance with some embodiments.In some embodiments, the heat sources 162 are the same as heat sources106. In some embodiments, the heat sources 106 and 162 comprise circuitsthat generate heat in response to inputs (e.g., photon inputs and/orelectrical inputs). In some embodiments, circuit or system 180 includesadditional superconducting components and/or non-superconductingcircuits, not shown, that are different configured from thesuperconducting components shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, in order to provideadditional logic, computational and/or signal processing functions.

As used herein, a “superconducting circuit” or “superconductor circuit”is a circuit having one or more superconducting materials. For example,a superconducting logic circuit is a logic circuit that includes one ormore superconducting materials. As used herein, a “superconducting”material is a material that is capable of operating in a superconductingstate (under particular conditions). For example, a material thatoperates as a superconductor (e.g., operates with zero electricalresistance) when cooled below a particular temperature (e.g., a criticaltemperature) and having less than a maximum current flowing through it.The superconducting materials may also operate in an “off” state wherelittle or no current is present. In some embodiments, thesuperconducting materials operate in a non-superconducting state duringwhich the materials have a non-zero electrical resistance (e.g., aresistance in the range of one thousand to ten thousand ohms). Forexample, a superconducting material supplied with a current greater thana threshold superconducting current for the superconducting material maytransition from a superconducting state with zero electrical resistanceto a non-superconducting state with non-zero electrical resistance. Asan example, superconducting film 102 is a superconducting material thatis capable of operating in a superconducting state (e.g., underparticular operating conditions).

As used herein, a “wire” is a section of material configured fortransferring electrical current. In some embodiments, a wire includes asection of material conditionally capable of transferring electricalcurrent (e.g., a wire made of a superconducting material that is capableof transferring electrical current while the wire is maintained at atemperature below a threshold temperature). A cross-section of a wire(e.g., a cross-section that is perpendicular to a length of the wire)optionally has a geometric (e.g., flat or round) shape or anon-geometric shape. In some embodiments, a length of a wire is greaterthan a width or a thickness of the wire (e.g., the length of a wire isat least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 times greater than the width and thethickness of the wire).

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a heat source 200 inaccordance with some embodiments. The heat source 200 in FIG. 2Aincludes a superconductor 202 coupled to a current source 204. Thesuperconductor 202 is also coupled to a reference node 208 and thereference node 206 via the current source 204. In some embodiments, thecurrent source 204 is configured to provide a current such that thesuperconductor 202 operates in a superconducting state. In someembodiments, the current source 204 is configured to provide a currentsuch that the superconductor 202 transitions from the superconductingstate to a non-superconducting state in response to one or more incidentphotons, for example, in response to receiving light of at least a firstintensity.

In some embodiments, the superconductor 202 is positioned in proximityto a narrow superconducting portion (e.g., narrow portion 104, narrowportion 124, or superconducting section 164. In some embodiments, as aresult of such proximity, heat source 200 is thermally coupled to andelectrically isolated from a corresponding narrow superconductingportion, such as narrow portion 104, 124 or 164. In some embodiments,one or more of the heat sources 106 and/or the heat sources 162 compriseheat source 200.

In some embodiments, one or more of the heat sources 106 and/or the heatsources 162 is a photon detector circuit, such as a pump-gatedsuperconducting photon detector.

In some embodiments, one or more of the heat sources 106 and/or the heatsources 162 comprises another type of heat source. For example, a typeof heat source utilizing a semiconductor to generate heat (e.g., viaresistive heat). In some embodiments, one or more of the narrow portions104, narrow portions 124, or superconducting sections 164 is coupled toa constant heat source. For example, a constant heat source configuredto provide a constant source of heat sufficient to transition the narrowportion from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state. Asanother example, a constant heat source configured to provide no heat ora constant source of heat insufficient to transition the narrow portionfrom a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state.

FIGS. 2B-2D are prophetic diagrams illustrating a representativeoperating sequence of the heat source 200 going active, from an inactivestate to an active state, in accordance with some embodiments (e.g., inresponse to the heat source receiving light of at least a firstintensity). FIG. 2B shows the current source 204 supplying a current 212to the superconductor 202. In accordance with some embodiments, thecurrent 212 is adapted such that the superconductor 202 operates in thesuperconducting state while the current 212 is supplied (e.g., thecurrent 212 does not exceed a superconducting current threshold of thesuperconductor 202). As a result, the heat source 200 is in the inactivestate. FIG. 2C shows one or more photons 214 impacting thesuperconductor 202 while the current 212 is supplied. In accordance withsome embodiments, the superconductor 202 and the current 212 areconfigured such that receipt of the photon(s) 214 (e.g., receiving lightof at least a first predefined intensity) causes superconductor 202 totransition to the non-superconducting state, as illustrated in FIG. 2D.As a result, the heat source 200 transitions to the active state,sometimes called going active. For example, the superconductor 202 andthe current 212 are configured such that receipt of the photon(s) 214lowers the superconducting current threshold of the superconductor 202(e.g., by breaking cooper pairs) so that the current 212 exceeds thelowered threshold, thereby transitioning the superconductor 202 from thesuperconducting state to the non-superconducting state. FIG. 2D showsthe superconductor 202 in the non-superconducting state (e.g., asillustrated by the striped patterning) in response to the current 212and the photon(s) 214. FIG. 2D also shows the superconductor 202generating heat 218 (e.g. resistive heat) as the current 212 flowsthrough the superconductor 202 in the non-superconducting state. In someembodiments, the heat 218 comprises the heat generated by a heat source106 or 162. In some embodiments, the heat source 200 is positioned suchthat the heat 218 is transferred to a narrow portion 104. In someembodiments, the heat source 200 is configured such that the heat 218 issufficient to transition a narrow portion 104 of the thin film 102 fromthe superconducting state to the non-superconducting state.

By electrically isolating the photon detector circuits as heat sourceinputs to a superconducting readout circuit (e.g., the circuits shown inFIGS. 3A-3B and 5A-5B), the photon detector circuits are more accurateand stable. For example, there is no current flow from the readoutcircuit into the photon detector circuits to produce false positives orotherwise disrupt the functionality of the photon detector circuits. Asanother example, the photon detector circuits are electrically-isolatedfrom one another to prevent them from influencing one another (e.g., andproducing false positives). Moreover, the photon detector circuits areenabled to be reset quickly (e.g., no latching) after a photon triggerwhile the readout circuitry may be configured to hold the detectionlonger, e.g., the corresponding narrow portion of the thin film isoptionally maintained in the non-superconducting state for an extendedtime. For example, the narrow portion of the thin film is maintained inthe non-superconducting state until the circuit is reset (e.g., byceasing to supply a current to the thin film). This enables the countingof photons that are staggered in time (e.g., photons that occur or arereceived at different times) using discrete photon detector circuits.

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams illustrating representativesuperconducting circuits in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3Aillustrates a superconducting circuit 300 including a plurality of heatsources 106 and a thin film 302 having alternating narrow portions 304and wide portions (e.g., “n” narrow portions and “n+1” wide portions,where, in various embodiments, “n” is equal to at least 2, at least 3,at least 4, at least 6, or at least 8). Although FIG. 3A shows the thinfilm 302 with 6 narrow portions and 7 wide portions, in variousembodiments the number of narrow portions varies from 2 to 100. In someembodiments, the thin film 302 and heat sources 106 comprise thesuperconducting component 120 (FIG. 1B). FIG. 3A further shows a currentsource 306 coupled to a first end of the thin film 302, a reference node310 (e.g., an electrical ground) coupled to a second end of the thinfilm 302, and a resistor 306 and readout circuitry 320 coupled inparallel with the thin film 302. In some embodiments, one or moreadditional components are coupled to the thin film 302 (e.g., one ormore inductors are coupled in series with the thin film 302 and/or theresistor 306). Each narrow portion 304 in FIG. 3A is thermally coupledand electrically isolated from a corresponding heat source 106. In someembodiments, two or more, but less than all, of the narrow portions 304are thermally coupled and electrically isolated from a correspondingheat source 106. In some embodiments, the resistor 306 has a resistancevalue in the range of 100 kiloohms to 10 megaohms. In some embodiments,the readout circuitry 320 is configured to measure an amount of currentreceived from the current source 308 (e.g., to determine how many heatsources went active).

FIG. 3B illustrates a superconducting circuit 350 similar to thesuperconducting circuit 300 except that the thin film 302 in FIG. 3A isreplaced with a plurality of discrete superconductors 352. In FIG. 3B,the superconductors 352 are coupled in series via a plurality ofsemiconductor wires 362 in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, (not shown) the superconductors 352 are coupled in seriesvia a plurality of superconducting wires. Although FIG. 3B shows thecircuit 350 with 3 superconductors 352, in various embodiments thenumber of superconductors 352 varies from 2 to 100.

FIGS. 4A-4C are prophetic diagrams illustrating a representativeoperating sequence of the superconducting circuit 300 in accordance withsome embodiments. In FIG. 4A, the current source 308 is supplying acurrent 402 adapted such that each narrow portion 304 of the thin film302 is operating in the superconducting state (e.g., the current 402 isless than a superconducting threshold current for each of the narrowportions 304). Since the thin film 302 has zero resistance while in thesuperconducting state, the current 402 flows through the thin film 302rather than the resistor 306 in FIG. 4A. In some embodiments, thecurrent 402 is in the range of 10 milliamps to 100 milliamps.

In FIG. 4B the heat source 106-2 is actively transferring heat 406 tothe corresponding narrow portion 304-2 of the thin film 302. The heat406 lowers the superconducting current threshold of the narrow portion304-2 such that the current 402 exceeds the lowered threshold. As aresult of the current 402 exceeding the lowered threshold, the narrowportion 304-2 of the thin film 302 transitions from the superconductingstate to the non-superconducting state. The narrow portion 304-2 hasnon-zero resistance while in the non-superconducting state. The non-zeroresistance of the narrow portion 304-2 results in a portion 408 of thecurrent from the current source 308 redirecting to the resistor 306, anda current 410, less than the current 402, flowing through the thin film302. The impedance of the thin film 302 corresponds to (e.g., isproportional to) the number of narrow portions in thenon-superconducting state. In the example of FIG. 4B, the amount of thecurrent 408 indicates that one narrow portion is in thenon-superconducting state.

In FIG. 4C the heat sources 106-2, 106-4, and 106-5 are activelytransferring heat 406, 412, and 414, respectively, to the correspondingnarrow portions 304-2, 304-4, and 304-5 of the thin film 302. Thetransferred heat 406, 412, and 414 lowers the superconducting currentthreshold of the corresponding narrow portions such that the current 402exceeds the lowered threshold. As a result of the current 402 exceedingthe lowered thresholds, the narrow portions 304-2, 304-4, and 304-5 ofthe thin film 302 transition from the superconducting state to thenon-superconducting state. The non-zero impedance of the narrow portions304-2, 304-4, and 304-5 result in a portion 418 of the current (greaterthan the portion 408 in FIG. 4B) from the current source 308 redirectingto the resistor 306, and a current 420, less than the current 402,flowing through the thin film 302. In the example of FIG. 4C, the amountof the current 418 indicates that three narrow portions are in thenon-superconducting state.

In some embodiments, (not shown) the resistor 306 is not present in thesuperconducting circuit 300 and the impedance of the thin film 302 ismeasured to determine a number of narrow portions in thenon-superconducting state.

FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams illustrating representativesuperconducting circuits in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 5Aillustrates a superconducting circuit 500 including a plurality of heatsources 106 and a thin film 502 having alternating narrow portions 504and wide portions (e.g., “n” narrow portions and “n+1” wide portions,where, in various embodiments, “n” is equal to at least 2, at least 3,at least 4, at least 6, or at least 8). Although FIG. 5A shows the thinfilm 302 with 6 narrow portions and 7 wide portions, in variousembodiments the number of narrow portions varies from 2 to 100. In someembodiments, the thin film 502 and heat sources 106 comprise thesuperconducting component 120 (FIG. 1B).

FIG. 5A further shows a current source 510 coupled to wide portions ofthe thin film 502 and reference nodes 511 (e.g., an electrical ground)coupled to the remainder of the wide portions of the thin film 502 suchthat the wide portions are alternatively coupled to the current source510 and a reference node 511. Each narrow portion 504 in FIG. 5A isthermally coupled to and electrically isolated from a corresponding heatsource 106. The thin film 502 in FIG. 5A is coupled to the currentsource 510 via a plurality of impedance components 506 (e.g., resistorsand/or inductors) and an inductor 508. The thin film 502 is also coupledto readout circuitry 514 via the impedance components 506, inductor 508,and an impedance component 512. In some embodiments, each impedancecomponent 506 comprises a resistive element and/or an inductive element.In some embodiments, the impedance components 506 each have a resistancevalue between 0 ohms and 500 ohms. In some embodiments, the impedancecomponents 506 each have an inductance value between 0 henry and 100nanohenry. In some embodiments, the current source 510 is configured tosupply a current in the range of 10 milliamps to 100 milliamps. In someembodiments, the current source 510 is configured to supply a currentadapted such that the thin film 502 operates in the superconductingstate, absent any heat from the heat sources 106. Although FIG. 5A showsthe thin film 502 with 6 narrow portions, in various embodiments thenumber of narrow portions varies from 2 to 100. In some embodiments, theimpedance components 506 and connecting wires comprise superconductingelements, while in other embodiments, the impedance components 506 andconnecting wires comprise semiconducting elements. In some embodiments,the readout circuitry 514 is configured to measure an amount of currentreceived from the current source 510 (e.g., to determine how many heatsources went active).

FIG. 5B illustrates a superconducting circuit 550 similar to thesuperconducting circuit 500 except that the thin film 502 in FIG. 5A isreplaced with a plurality of discrete superconductors 552. In FIG. 5B,the superconductors 552 are coupled in parallel to the current source510 and the readout circuitry 514. In various embodiments, thesuperconductors 552 are coupled to the current source 510 and/or thereadout circuitry 514 via one or more superconducting wires and/or oneor more semiconducting wires. Although FIG. 5B shows the circuit 550with 4 superconductors 552, in various embodiments the number ofsuperconductors 552 varies from 2 to 100.

FIGS. 6A-6C are prophetic diagrams illustrating a representativeoperating sequence of the superconducting circuit 500 in accordance withsome embodiments. In FIG. 6A, the current source 510 supplies a current602 adapted such that each narrow portion 504 of the thin film 502 isoperating in the superconducting state (e.g., the current 602 is lessthan a superconducting threshold current for each of the narrow portions504). Since the thin film 502 has zero resistance while in thesuperconducting state, a majority of the current 402 flows through thethin film 502 rather than the impedance component 512 in FIG. 6A (e.g.,the combined impedance of impedance components 506 is less than animpedance of the impedance component 512). In some embodiments, thecurrent 602 is in the range of 10 milliamps to 100 milliamps.

In FIG. 6B the heat source 106-5 is actively transferring heat 610 tothe corresponding narrow portion 504-5 of the thin film 502, for examplein response to detection of a photon or in response to detection of athreshold number of photons incident on a corresponding photon detector(see discussion of FIG. 2C, above). The heat 610 lowers thesuperconducting current threshold of the narrow portion 504-5 such thatthe current 602 exceeds the lowered threshold. As a result of thecurrent 602 exceeding the lowered threshold, the narrow portion 504-5 ofthe thin film 502 transitions from the superconducting state to thenon-superconducting state. The narrow portion 504-5 has non-zeroresistance while in the non-superconducting state. The non-zeroresistance of the narrow portion 504-5 results in a portion 614 of thecurrent from the current source 510 redirecting to the readout circuitry514 via the impedance component 512, and a current 616, less than thecurrent 602, flowing to the thin film 502. In the example of FIG. 6B,the amount of the current 614 indicates that one narrow portion is inthe non-superconducting state.

In FIG. 6C the heat sources 106-1, 106-2, and 106-5 are activelytransferring heat 624, 622, and 610, respectively, to the correspondingnarrow portions 504-1, 504-2, and 504-5 of the thin film 502. Thetransferred heat 624, 622, and 610 lowers the superconducting currentthreshold of the corresponding narrow portions such that the current 602exceeds the lowered threshold. As a result of the current 602 exceedingthe lowered thresholds, the narrow portions 504-1, 504-2, and 504-5 ofthe thin film 502 transition from the superconducting state to thenon-superconducting state. The non-zero impedance of the narrow portions504-1, 504-2, and 504-5 result in a portion 618 of the current (greaterthan the portion 614 in FIG. 6B) from the current source 510 beingredirected to the readout circuitry 514, and a current 620, less thanthe current 602, flowing to the thin film 502. In the example of FIG.6C, the amount of the current 618 indicates that three narrow portionsare in the non-superconducting state, and thus that three heat sources106 (or photo detectors) have become active.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a superconducting circuit 700in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 7 shows a superconductingcircuit 700 having a superconducting component 702 with alternating wideand narrow portions (e.g., narrow portions 706-1 through 706-8). In someembodiments, the superconducting component 702 is a thin film ofsuperconducting material having alternating wide and narrow portions.FIG. 7 further shows heat sources 106 thermally coupled to, andelectrically isolated from, the superconducting component 702.

In some embodiments, the superconducting component 702 and the heatsources 106 are patterned from a single thin film of superconductingmaterial (e.g., composed of niobium). FIG. 7 further shows a currentsource 710 coupled to the superconducting component 702 via an impedancecomponent 716 (e.g., an inductor). In accordance with some embodiments,the current source 710 is coupled to alternating wide portions of thesuperconducting component 702 (e.g., via respective terminals of thosewide portions). The other wide portions of the superconducting component702 are coupled (e.g., via respective terminals of those wide portions)to reference nodes 708 (e.g., an electrical ground) in accordance withsome embodiments. FIG. 7 also shows readout circuitry 712 coupled to thesuperconducting component 702 via a coupling component 714 (e.g.,comprising a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, and/or other circuitcomponents). In some embodiments, the readout circuitry 712 isconfigured to measure an amount of current received from the currentsource 710. In some embodiments, the readout circuitry 712 is configuredto determine whether an amount of current received from the currentsource 710 exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, the circuit 700 operates in a first mode ofoperation as a logical AND gate (e.g., each heat source must be activeto produce a logical ‘1’ output at the readout circuitry 712). In someembodiments, the current source 710 is configured such that the circuit700 operates as a logical AND gate. For example, the current supplied bythe current source 710 is selected such that current redirected from oneor more narrow portions 706 is insufficient to cause other narrowportions 706 to transition to the non-superconducting state.

In some embodiments, the circuit 700 operates in a second mode ofoperation as a logical OR gate (e.g., one or more active heat sourceswill produce a logical ‘1’ output at the readout circuitry 712). In someembodiments, the current source 710 is configured such that the circuit700 operates as a logical OR gate (e.g., the current source isconfigured to supply a current that is greater than the current suppliedin the first mode of operation). For example, the current source isconfigured to supply a current such that current redirected from one ormore narrow portions 706 (e.g., from any one of the narrow portions 706)is sufficient to cause other narrow portions 706 to transition to thenon-superconducting state, for example, due to an increase in currentdirected to the other narrow portions 706 when one of those portionstransitions to the non-superconducting state, which in turn causes thoseother narrow portions to transitions to the non-superconducting state,sometimes herein called a cascade effect.

In some embodiments, the circuit 700 is configured to operate in a thirdmode of operation (e.g., a logical majority-gate configuration). In thelogical majority-gate configuration, the current needs to be redirectedfrom a subset of the narrow portions (e.g., greater than 1 but less thanall of the narrow portions) to cause the cascade effect, and thus heatmust be supplied by a subset (e.g., at least a predefined number, wherethe predefined number is greater than 1 and less than the total numberof narrow portions 706 in superconducting component 702) of the heatsources 106 to transition all of the narrow portions to thenon-superconducting state. While each of the narrow portions of thesuperconducting component 702 is in the non-superconducting state, thecurrent from the current source 710, or a substantial portion of thatcurrent, is redirected to the readout component 712 (e.g., producing alogical ‘1’ output at the readout component). In some embodiments, thecircuit 700 is set in the logical AND configuration, the logical ORconfiguration, or the one or more Majority-Gate configurations byadjusting an amount of current supplied to the superconducting component702 by the current source 710. Additional details regarding theoperation of circuit 700 are disclosed in U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/630,657, filed Feb. 14, 2018, entitled “Superconducting LogicGate,” which is incorporated by reference herein.

Although FIGS. 1-7 show examples of superconductors having rectangulargeometry, in some embodiments, the various superconductors describedherein have other geometric (e.g., oval or circular) or non-geometricforms. FIG. 8 illustrates a superconducting thin film 802 havingalternating wide portions 806 and narrow portions 804 with curved edgesin accordance with some embodiments. The thin film 802 is similar tothin films 102 and 122, except that the wide portions 806 and narrowportions 804 have curved edges rather than the straight edges andcorners as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some embodiments, the variouscircuits described herein utilize a thin film with curved edges, such asthose of the thin film 802. Curved edges and rounded corners improvecurrent flow in some circumstances by reducing current crowding atcorners. Curved edges, such as those in FIG. 8, also reduce capacitivecoupling between wide portions 806 (e.g., reduce cross-talk) in somecircumstances compared to straight edges.

In light of these principles and embodiments, we now turn to certainadditional embodiments.

In accordance with some embodiments, a superconducting component (e.g.,superconducting component 100, FIG. 1A) includes: (1) a superconductingelement (e.g., thin film 102) having a plurality of alternating narrowand wide portions, each wide portion having a corresponding terminal(e.g., terminals 108); and (2) a plurality of heat sources (e.g., heatsources 106), each heat source thermally coupled to a correspondingnarrow portion such that heat from the heat source is transmitted to thecorresponding narrow portion; where the plurality of heat sources iselectrically isolated from the superconducting element. In someembodiments, the superconductor comprises a thin film of superconductingmaterial (e.g., a thin film of niobium alloy). In some embodiments, twoor more of the wide portions, but less than all, have a correspondingterminal.

In some embodiments, the superconducting component is configured suchthat, in response to the transmitted heat, the corresponding narrowportion transitions from a superconducting state to anon-superconducting state. For example, the narrow portion 304-2 in FIG.4B transitioned from the superconducting state shown in FIG. 4A to thenon-superconducting state (illustrated by the striped lines) in responseto the heat 406 received from the heat source 106-2.

In some embodiments, each heat source comprises a superconductor. Forexample, FIG. 2A illustrates a heat source 200 including asuperconductor 202 configured to generate heat in response to incidentphoton(s). In some embodiments, one or more of the heat sources comprisea semiconductor (e.g., a semiconductor configured to generate heat inresponse to receiving current from a current source). In someembodiments, one or more of the heat sources comprises a constant heatsource configured to maintain the corresponding narrow portion in anon-superconducting state.

In some embodiments, a first heat source of the plurality of heatsources comprises a photon detector. For example, the first heat sourcecomprises the heat source 200 described above with respect to FIGS.2A-2D. As another example, the first heat source comprises a pump-gatedsuperconducting photon detector.

In some embodiments, at least one terminal is coupled to a currentsource (e.g., the current source 308, FIG. 3A, or the current source510, FIG. 5A) configured to supply a current such that one or more ofthe narrow portions are in a superconducting state. In some embodiments,at least one terminal is coupled to a reference node. For example, inthe configuration illustrated in FIG. 5A a subset of the wide portionsare coupled to reference nodes 511 via a plurality of terminals. In someembodiments, at least one terminal is coupled to a readout circuit(e.g., the readout circuitry 320, FIG. 3A, the readout circuitry 514,FIG. 5A, or the readout circuitry 712, FIG. 7).

In some embodiments, the superconducting component is configured tooperate as a majority gate. For example, the circuit 700 in FIG. 7illustrates a superconducting component 702 configured to operate as amajority gate in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the superconducting component is configured tooperate as a photon counter. For example, the circuit 300 in FIG. 3A andthe circuit 500 in FIG. 5A illustrate superconducting components (e.g.,thin films 302 and 502) configured to operate as photon counters (alsosometimes called photon number resolution circuits).

In accordance with some embodiments, a photon detector system includes:(1) a first circuit that includes a plurality of superconductingcomponents (e.g., the thin film 302, FIG. 3A); (2) a resistive componentcoupled in parallel with the first circuit (e.g., the resistor 306, FIG.3A); (3) a plurality of heat sources (e.g., the heat sources 106, FIG.3A), each heat source of the plurality of heat sources coupled to acorresponding superconducting component of the plurality ofsuperconducting components and configured to selectively provide heat tothe corresponding superconducting component in response to receivinglight of at least a first intensity; (4) a current source (e.g., thecurrent source 308, FIG. 3A) coupled to the plurality of superconductingcomponents and the resistive component, and configured to supply a firstcurrent, where the first current is adapted to bias the first circuitsuch that: (a) responsive to the first current, a respectivesuperconducting component of the first circuit operates in asuperconducting state (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 4A); and (b) responsiveto a combination of the first current and the heat from a correspondingheat source, the respective superconducting component operates in anon-superconducting state (e.g., narrow portion 304-2 illustrated inFIG. 4B); and (5) an output component (e.g., readout circuitry 320)coupled to the first circuit and configured to determine a number of theplurality of superconducting components in the non-superconducting statebased on an impedance of the first circuit.

In some embodiments, the output component is configured to measure theimpedance of the plurality of superconducting components. For example,the readout circuitry 320 is configured to measure an impedance of thethin film 302 in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the output component is configured to measure avoltage drop across the resistive component. For example, the readoutcircuitry 320 is configured to measure a voltage drop across theresistor 306 in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, after transitioning to the non-superconductingstate, superconducting components of the plurality of superconductingcomponents are configured to maintain the non-superconducting stateuntil a reset condition occurs. For example, the narrow portions of thethin film 302 are configured to stay in the non-superconducting stateuntil the current source 308 ceases to supply current to the thin film302.

In some embodiments, each heat source of the plurality of heat sourcescomprises a respective superconducting photonic detection component(e.g., the heat source 200 illustrated in FIG. 2A); where eachrespective superconducting photonic detection component is configured totransition from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting statein response to incident photons having at least the first intensity; andwhere the transition to the non-superconducting state generates heatthat is transferred to the corresponding superconducting component.

In some embodiments, the first circuit further includes one or moreinductive components configured to slow a transition of one or moresuperconducting components of the plurality of superconductingcomponents from the non-superconducting state to the superconductingstate.

In some embodiments, the first circuit includes a thin film ofsuperconducting material (e.g., the thin film 302, FIG. 3A), the thinfilm having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions; andwhere the plurality of narrow portions comprises the plurality ofsuperconducting components (e.g., narrow portions 304 in FIG. 3Acomprise the superconducting components).

In some embodiments, the plurality of superconducting components and theplurality of heat sources are patterned from a single thin film. In someembodiments, the plurality of heat sources is electrically-isolated fromthe plurality of superconducting components. For example, the heatsources are positioned such that no current flows between the heatsources and the superconducting components and no electrons aretransferred via quantum tunneling effects.

In some embodiments, the photon detection system includes a referencenode (e.g., reference node 310, FIG. 3A) coupled to each of theplurality of superconducting components.

In some embodiments, the superconducting components of the plurality ofsuperconducting components are arranged in series with one another. Forexample, the narrow portions 304 in FIG. 3A are arranged in series withrespect to one another.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method for resolving a number ofdetected photons includes: (1) providing a first current to a firstcircuit (e.g., circuit 300, FIG. 3A) that includes: (a) a plurality ofsuperconducting components (e.g., narrow portions 304 of thin film 302);and (b) a resistive component (e.g., the resistor 306) coupled inparallel with the plurality of superconducting components; where thefirst current is configured such that the plurality of superconductingcomponents operates in a superconducting state; (2) providing heat toone or more of the plurality of superconducting components (e.g., theheat 406 provided to the narrow portion 304-2 in FIG. 4B), the heatconfigured to initiate a transition of the one or more superconductingcomponents to a non-superconducting state; and (3) determining a numberof the plurality of superconducting components in thenon-superconducting state based on an impedance of the plurality ofsuperconducting components (e.g., determining a number of components inthe non-superconducting state based on an impedance of the thin film302).

In some embodiments: (1) the heat is provided by one or more detectorcomponents (e.g., heat sources 106, FIG. 3A) responsive to one or moreincident photons; where each detector component is coupled to acorresponding one of the plurality of superconducting components; and(2) the method further includes determining a number of incident photonsbased on the determined impedance. For example, determining a number ofincident photons by associating the determined impedance with a numberof active heat sources and associating an active heat source with anumber of incident photons.

In accordance with some embodiments, a photon detector system includes:(1) a first circuit (e.g., the circuit 500, FIG. 5A) that includes: (a)a plurality of superconducting components (e.g., the narrow portions 504of the thin film 502); and (b) a plurality of impedance components(e.g., the impedance components 506) coupling the plurality ofsuperconducting components, where the plurality of impedance componentscomprises one or more inductors and/or one or more resistors; (2) aplurality of heat sources (e.g., the heat sources 106), each heat sourceof the plurality of heat sources coupled to a correspondingsuperconducting component of the plurality of superconducting componentsand configured to selectively provide heat to the correspondingsuperconducting component in response to receiving light of at least afirst intensity; (3) a current source (e.g., the current source 510)coupled to the plurality of superconducting components via the pluralityof impedance components and configured to supply a first current, wherethe first current is adapted to bias the first circuit such that: (i)responsive to the first current, a respective superconducting componentof the first circuit operates in a superconducting state (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 6A); and (ii) responsive to a combination of thefirst current and the heat from a corresponding heat source, therespective superconducting component operates in a non-superconductingstate (e.g., narrow portion 504-5 as illustrated in FIG. 6B); and (4) anoutput component (e.g., readout circuitry 514) coupled in parallel withthe first circuit, the output component configured to determine a numberof the plurality of superconducting components in thenon-superconducting state based on a portion of the first currentflowing to the output component.

In some embodiments, each heat source of the plurality of heat sourcescomprises a respective superconducting photonic detection component(e.g., a pump-gated superconducting photon detector); where eachrespective superconducting photonic detection component is configured totransition from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting statein response to incident photons having at least the first intensity(e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2D); and where thetransition to the non-superconducting state generates heat that istransferred to the corresponding superconducting component.

In some embodiments, the photon detector system further includes a firstresistive component (e.g., the impedance component 512, FIG. 5A)coupling the output component to the current source; where the firstresistive component and the plurality of impedance components areconfigured such that, in response to a superconducting component of theplurality of superconducting components transitioning to thenon-superconducting state, a portion of the first current is redirectedto the output component. For example, in FIG. 6B the heat source 106-5supplies heat 610 to the narrow portion 504-5 and the narrow portion504-5 transitions to the non-superconducting state. In this example, aportion 614 of the current 602 supplied by the current source 510 isredirected to the readout circuitry 514.

In some embodiments, the first circuit further includes one or moreinductive components (e.g., the inductor 508, FIG. 5A) configured toslow a transition of one or more superconducting components of theplurality of superconducting components from the non-superconductingstate to the superconducting state.

In some embodiments, the first circuit includes a thin film ofsuperconducting material (e.g., the thin film 502, FIG. 5A), the thinfilm having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions; wherethe plurality of narrow portions comprises the plurality ofsuperconducting components (e.g., the narrow portions 504 of the thinfilm 502). In some embodiments, the plurality of superconductingcomponents and the plurality of heat sources are patterned from a singlethin film.

In some embodiments, the plurality of heat sources iselectrically-isolated from the plurality of superconducting components.

In some embodiments, the photon detector system further includes areference node coupled to each of the plurality of superconductingcomponents (e.g., the reference nodes 511 in FIG. 5A).

In some embodiments, the superconducting components of the plurality ofsuperconducting components are arranged in parallel with one another. Insome embodiments, the reference nodes are coupled to the plurality ofsuperconducting components such that the superconducting components arein a parallel arrangement with one another.

In some embodiments, the portion of the first current flowing to theoutput component corresponds to the number of the plurality ofsuperconducting components in the non-superconducting state. In someembodiments, the portion of the first current flowing to the outputcomponent is proportional to the number of the plurality ofsuperconducting components in the non-superconducting state. In someembodiments, the portion of the first current flowing to the outputcomponent nearly proportional to the number of the plurality ofsuperconducting components in the non-superconducting state (e.g.,within 10% of a linear correspondence).

In accordance with some embodiments, a method for resolving a number ofincident photons, includes: (1) providing a first current to a firstcircuit (e.g., circuit 500, FIG. 5A) that includes: (a) a plurality ofsuperconducting components (e.g., the narrow portions 504 of thin film502); (b) an output component (e.g., the readout circuitry 514); and (c)a plurality of impedance components (e.g., the impedance components 506)coupling the plurality of superconducting components and the outputcomponent; where the first current is configured such that the pluralityof superconducting components operates in a superconducting state; (2)providing heat to one or more of the plurality of superconductingcomponents (e.g., the heat 610, 622, and 624 provided to the narrowportions 504-5, 504-2, and 504-1 in FIG. 6C), the heat configured toinitiate a transition of the one or more superconducting components to anon-superconducting state; and (3) detecting a portion of the firstcurrent at the output component, the portion of the first currentproportional to a number of superconducting components in thenon-superconducting state (e.g., determining a number of narrow portionsin the non-superconducting state based on the current received at thereadout circuitry 514 in FIG. 6C).

In some embodiments: (1) the heat is provided by one or more detectorcomponents (e.g., heat sources 106, FIG. 5A) responsive to one or moreincident photons; where each detector component is coupled to acorresponding one of the plurality of superconducting components; and(2) the method further includes determining a number of incident photonsbased on the portion of the first current. For example, determining anumber of incident photons by associating the determined portion of thefirst current with a number of active heat sources and associating anactive heat source with a number of incident photons.

Although some of various drawings illustrate a number of logical stagesin a particular order, stages that are not order dependent may bereordered and other stages may be combined or broken out. While somereordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, so the ordering andgroupings presented herein are not an exhaustive list of alternatives.Moreover, it should be recognized that the stages could be implementedin hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first currentcould be termed a second current, and, similarly, a second current couldbe termed a first current, without departing from the scope of thevarious described embodiments. The first current and the second currentare both currents, but they are not the same condition unless explicitlystated as such.

The terminology used in the description of the various describedembodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in thedescription of the various described embodiments and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when”or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting”or “in accordance with a determination that,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event]” or “in accordance with a determination that [astated condition or event] is detected,” depending on the context.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen in order to best explain theprinciples underlying the claims and their practical applications, tothereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usescontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A superconducting component, comprising: a first circuit, including: a superconductor having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions, including a plurality of narrow portions each having a first width and opposing ends connected to respective wide portions, and a plurality of wide portions each having a second width greater than the first width, two or more of the wide portions each having a corresponding terminal; and a plurality of heat sources, each heat source thermally coupled to a corresponding narrow portion such that heat from the heat source is transmitted to the corresponding narrow portion; wherein the plurality of heat sources is electrically isolated from the superconductor; and an output component coupled to the first circuit, the output component configured to determine a number of the plurality of narrow portions of the superconductor in a non-superconducting state.
 2. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein a first heat source of the plurality of heat sources comprises a photon detector.
 3. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein the superconducting component is configured to operate as a photon counter.
 4. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein the superconductor comprises a thin film of superconducting material.
 5. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein the superconducting component is configured such that, in response to the transmitted heat, a corresponding narrow portion transitions from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state.
 6. The superconducting component of claim 5, wherein wide portions connected to the corresponding narrow portion are configured to remain in a superconducting state while the corresponding narrow portion transitions from the superconducting state to the non-superconducting state.
 7. The superconducting component of claim 5, where the wide portions are configured to thermally isolate the narrow portions from one another so that heat coupled to a respective narrow portion by a corresponding heat source is not sufficient to cause a neighboring narrow portion to transition from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state.
 8. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein each heat source comprises a superconductor.
 9. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein at least one terminal is coupled to a current source configured to supply a current such that a respective narrow portion of the superconductor is in a superconducting state prior to a corresponding heat source of the plurality of heat sources transmitting heat to the respective narrow portion.
 10. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein at least one terminal is coupled to a reference node.
 11. The superconducting component of claim 1, wherein the output component is coupled to the first circuit via at least one terminal.
 12. A photon detector system, comprising: a first circuit that includes a plurality of superconducting components; a resistive component coupled in parallel with the first circuit; a plurality of heat sources, each heat source of the plurality of heat sources coupled to a corresponding superconducting component of the plurality of superconducting components and configured to selectively provide heat to the corresponding superconducting component in response to receiving light of at least a first intensity; a current source coupled to the plurality of superconducting components and the resistive component, and configured to supply a first current, wherein the first current is adapted to bias the first circuit such that: responsive to the first current, a respective superconducting component of the first circuit operates in a superconducting state; and responsive to a combination of the first current and the heat from a corresponding heat source, the respective superconducting component operates in a non-superconducting state; and an output component coupled to the first circuit and configured to determine a number of the plurality of superconducting components in the non-superconducting state based on an impedance of the first circuit.
 13. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the output component is configured to measure impedance of the plurality of superconducting components.
 14. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the output component is configured to measure a voltage drop across the resistive component.
 15. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein, after transitioning to the non-superconducting state, superconducting components of the plurality of superconducting components are configured to maintain the non-superconducting state until a reset condition occurs.
 16. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein each heat source of the plurality of heat sources comprises a respective superconducting photonic detection component; wherein each respective superconducting photonic detection component is configured to transition from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state in response to incident photons having at least the first intensity; and wherein the transition to the non-superconducting state generates heat that is transferred to the corresponding superconducting component.
 17. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the first circuit further comprises one or more inductive components configured to slow a transition of one or more superconducting components of the plurality of superconducting components from the non-superconducting state to the superconducting state.
 18. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the first circuit includes a thin film of superconducting material, the thin film having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions; and wherein the plurality of narrow portions comprises the plurality of superconducting components.
 19. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of superconducting components and the plurality of heat sources are patterned from a single thin film.
 20. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of heat sources is electrically-isolated from the plurality of superconducting components.
 21. The photon detector system of claim 12, further comprising a reference node coupled to two or more of the plurality of superconducting components.
 22. The photon detector system of claim 12, wherein the superconducting components of the plurality of superconducting components are arranged in series with one another.
 23. A method for detecting light, comprising: providing a first current to a first circuit that includes: a plurality of superconducting components; and a resistive component coupled in parallel with the plurality of superconducting components; wherein the first current is configured such that the plurality of superconducting components operates in a superconducting state; providing heat to one or more of the plurality of superconducting components, the heat configured to initiate a transition of the one or more superconducting components to a non-superconducting state; and determining a number of the plurality of superconducting components in the non-superconducting state based on an impedance of the plurality of superconducting components.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the heat is provided by one or more detector components responsive to one or more incident photons; wherein each detector component is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of superconducting components; and the method further comprises determining a number of incident photons based on the impedance.
 25. A photon detector system, comprising: a first circuit that includes: a plurality of superconducting components; and a plurality of impedance components coupling the plurality of superconducting components, wherein the plurality of impedance components comprises one or more inductors and/or one or more resistors; a plurality of heat sources, each heat source of the plurality of heat sources coupled to a corresponding superconducting component of the plurality of superconducting components and configured to selectively provide heat to the corresponding superconducting component in response to receiving light of at least a first intensity; a current source coupled to the plurality of superconducting components via the plurality of impedance components and configured to supply a first current, wherein the first current is adapted to bias the first circuit such that: responsive to the first current, the respective superconducting component of the first circuit operates in a superconducting state; and responsive to a combination of the first current and the heat from a corresponding heat source, the respective superconducting component operates in a non-superconducting state; and an output component coupled in parallel with the first circuit, the output component configured to determine a number of the plurality of superconducting components in the non-superconducting state based on a portion of the first current flowing to the output component.
 26. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein each heat source of the plurality of heat sources comprises a respective superconducting photonic detection component; wherein each respective superconducting photonic detection component is configured to transition from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state in response to incident photons having at least the first intensity; and wherein the transition to the non-superconducting state generates heat that is transferred to the corresponding superconducting component.
 27. The photon detector system of claim 25, further comprising a first resistive component coupling the output component to the current source; wherein the first resistive component and the plurality of impedance components are configured such that, in response to a superconducting component of the plurality of superconducting components transitioning to the non-superconducting state, a portion of the first current is redirected to the output component.
 28. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein the first circuit further comprises one or more inductive components configured to slow a transition of one or more superconducting components of the plurality of superconducting components from the non-superconducting state to the superconducting state.
 29. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein the first circuit includes a thin film of superconducting material, the thin film having a plurality of alternating narrow and wide portions; and wherein the plurality of narrow portions comprises the plurality of superconducting components.
 30. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of superconducting components and the plurality of heat sources are patterned from a single thin film.
 31. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of heat sources is electrically-isolated from the plurality of superconducting components.
 32. The photon detector system of claim 25, further comprising a reference node coupled to each of the plurality of superconducting components.
 33. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein the portion of the first current flowing to the output component is proportional to the number of the plurality of superconducting components in the non-superconducting state.
 34. The photon detector system of claim 25, wherein the superconducting components of the plurality of superconducting components are arranged in parallel with one another.
 35. A method for detecting light, comprising: providing a first current to a first circuit that includes: a plurality of superconducting components; an output component; and a plurality of impedance components coupling the plurality of superconducting components and the output component; wherein the first current is configured such that the plurality of superconducting components operates in a superconducting state; providing heat to one or more of the plurality of superconducting components, the heat configured to initiate a transition of the one or more superconducting components to a non-superconducting state; and detecting a portion of the first current at the output component, the portion of the first current proportional to a number of superconducting components in the non-superconducting state.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the heat is provided by one or more detector components responsive to one or more incident photons.
 37. The method of claim 36, further comprising determining a number of incident photons based on the portion of the first current. 